Standard German originated not as a traditional dialect of a specific region, but as a written language.

German Travel Phrases

German English
Der Bahnhof The train station
Der Zug wird zeitig abfahrenen The train is leaving on time
Der Flughafen The airport
Der Flug ist verspätet The flight is leaving late
Wo ist das Hotel? Where is the hotel?
Ihre Zimmer number ist… Your room number is…
Ich will ein Zimmer mieten I want to rent a room
Haben Sie einen Mietwagen? Do you have a rental car?
Wie weit ist der See? How far is the lake?
Ich möchte ein Boot mieten I want to rent a boat
Ich werde Freunde am See treffen I’ll meet friends at the lake
Ich werde ein Picnic mitbringen I’ll bring a picnic
Wollen Sie fischen? Do you want to go fishing?
Es gefällt mir sehr hier I like it here very much

Reform of 1996 and beyondThe German spelling reform of 1996 led to public controversy and considerable dispute. Some state parliaments (Bundesländer) would not accept it (North Rhine Westphalia and Bavaria). The dispute landed at one point in the highest court, which made a short issue of it, claiming that the states had to decide for themselves and that only in schools could the reform be made the official rule—everybody else could continue writing as they had learned it. Read More...